Correlation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells with C-reactive protein, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase levels in patients with severe COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global health emergency, and understanding the interactions between the virus and host immune responses is crucial to preventing its lethal effects. The expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in COVID-19, thereby suppressing immune responses, has been described as responsible for the severity of the disease, but the correlation between MDSC subsets and COVID-19 severity remains elusive. Therefore, we classified patients according to clinical and laboratory findings-aiming to investigate the relationship between MDSC subsets and laboratory findings such as high C-reactive protein, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase levels, which indicate the severity of the disease. Forty-one patients with COVID-19 (26 mild and 15 severe; mean age of 49.7 ± 15 years) and 26 healthy controls were included in this study. MDSCs were grouped into two major subsets-polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs) and monocytic MDSCs-by flow cytometric immunophenotyping, and PMN-MDSCs were defined as mature and immature, according to CD16 expressions, for the first time in COVID-19. Total MDSCs, PMN-MDSCs, mature PMN-MDSCs and monocytic MDSCs were significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 compared with the healthy controls (P < .05). Only PMN-MDSCs and their immature PMN-MDSC subsets were higher in the severe subgroup than in the mild subgroup. In addition, a significant correlation was found between C-reactive protein, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase levels and MDSCs in patients with COVID-19. These findings suggest that MDSCs play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, while PMN-MDSCs, especially immature PMN-MDSCs, are associated with the severity of the disease.

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with Covid-19 suspicion applying to a university hospital: The first eighty days in a pandemic

Aim: The first COVID-19 case in Turkey was detected on March 11, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Epidemiological studies are needed to be prepared for other outbreaks and to be effective in the disease management process. Based on this reason, in this study it was aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of Covid 19 possible and definite cases who applied to the university hospital during the pandemic process. Materials and Methods: This retrospective epidemiological study was carried out by analyzing the data of Covid 19 possible and definite cases, who applied to the university hospital operating as a pandemic hospital between 11 March / 01 June 2020. The data were summarized with descriptive statistics, tables and graphs. Results: Of the 1,383 patients, who applied with the suspicion of COVID-19, 55.5% were men and 84.5% were adults. The median age of children is 4.0 (1.5-10) years old;adults were 52.0 (36.0-67.0) years old. The median time between the outset of complaints and the date of admission to the hospital was 2 (1-3) days. 87.4% of adults and 87.9% of children had symptoms that supported COVID-19 infection. Among cases 7.8% were health care workers. The median age of the fatal cases was 71 (64-82) years old, 79.5% were male, 77.7% were retired. The most common comorbide diseases in these cases were hypertension (28.2%) and malignancy (28.2%). The case fatality rate was found as 2.8% in all patients and 48.4% in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Conclusions: As a result, Covid-19 affects all age groups. Hypertension and malignancy were the most common additional diseases in fatal cases. The risk of illness is higher in healthcare workers who have direct contact with the patients. According to our observations, preventive measures, rapid diagnosis and supportive treatment are valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Annals of Medical of Research is the property of Annals of Medical Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in severe COVID-19 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The use of convalescent plasma (CP) transfusions is very valuable in the current COVID-19 outbreak, given that there are no specific preventive and therapeutic options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 patients with severe COVID-19 disease treated with convalescent plasma transfusion were included in the study. The efficacy of CP and in which situations it was effective were investigated. CONCLUSION: 80 % of the patients recovered, and 20 % died in our study. The mean age of the patients who died was found to be higher than the patients who recovered. CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, neutrophil, MPV, and NLR counts were found to be higher, and lymphocyte and platelet counts were lower in the deceased group after CP. It was determined that patients who received CP within the first five days were hospitalized for a shorter period. DISCUSSION: Administration of CP transfusion within the first five days in severe COVID-19 patients has been shown to reduce hospital stay length.

Apoptosis-induced T-cell lymphopenia is related to COVID-19 severity.

Increased levels of acute-phase reactants and lymphopenia are predictors of disease severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the role of apoptosis in the etiology of lymphopenia in patients with COVID-19. This multicentered, prospective, and case-control study was conducted with polymerase chain reaction (+) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients, and an age-gender-matched control group. Samples were taken at the time of diagnosis and analyzed via flow cytometry within 24 h. The participants' demographic data and initial laboratory tests were also recorded. In total, 33 patients with COVID-19 (mean age = 45.4 ± 17.2) and 25 controls (mean age = 43.4 ± 17.4) participated in the study. All patients were identified as having mild (16), moderate (5), or severe (12) disease severity. Both early and late apoptotic cells in B and T lymphocytes were increased in all patients with COVID-19 (p < .05). Early apoptotic (EA) B and T lymphocytes were also higher in severe cases compared to mild cases (p = .026). There was no significant difference between lymphopenia and apoptosis in patients with COVID-19. However, patients with lymphopenia (n = 14) and severe COVID-19 (p = .013) had increased EA T lymphocytes. This study's results show that B and T lymphocytes' apoptosis increases in patients with COVID-19. In addition, enhanced T lymphocyte apoptosis is associated with disease severity in lymphopenic patients with COVID-19.